Bavaria, Kingdom. An Order of Military Merit, I Class Cross with Swords and Crown, by Gebrüder Hemmerle, c.1918

(Militär-Verdienstorden, I. Klasse mit Krone und Schwertern). Instituted 19 July 1866 by King Ludwig II. (1918 issue). Constructed of gilded silver with multi-coloured enamels, consisting of a Maltese Cross with its arms joined together through the quadrants by stylized and exceptionally detailed flames, the obverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded and crowned monogram of King Ludwig II, set within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt inscription of “MERENTI” (“MERIT”) with arabesques, the reverse bearing a central black enameled medallion overlaid by a gilded Bavarian lion rampant, within a white enameled belt and buckle bearing a gilt institution date of “1866” with arabesques, with a crossed sword clasp riveted to the obverse of the twelve o’clock arm by a stylized fan which emanates from the edge of the frame, in turn topped by a swivel hinge retaining a hollow gilt crown topped by a loop, in turn retaining a suspension ring, the reverse of the sword clasp maker marked “GH” for Gebrüder Hemmerle, Munich, and stamped with a silver content number of “900”, the cross measuring 67.66 mm (w) x 67.33 mm (h) (exclusive of suspension fan), the swords measures 45.28 mm (w) x 13.85 mm (h), the crown measuring 34.10 mm (w) x 33.89 mm (h), weighing 60.6 grams, a careful period repair is visible to the reverse three o’clock arm in addition to minor flecking of loss of finish to the other enameled and gilded features, respectively, in near extremely fine condition.